P0975 on 2014-2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: Gearbox Fault Causes & Fixes

What's Unique About the 2014-2015 Land Rover RANGE ROVER EVOQUE

Unlike many vehicles where a P0975 code might point to a bad solenoid or fluid issues, the 2014-2015 Evoque has a well-documented manufacturing problem with its ZF 9HP48 9-speed transmission. Land Rover issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB LTB00740NAS2) that directly links this code to a faulty crimp inside the transmission's own wiring harness. While other vehicles using this same transmission (like the Jeep Cherokee, where it's called the 948TE) also had early-life issues, they were often addressed with software updates first. The Land Rover TSB makes diagnosis on the Evoque much more direct, as the harness becomes the primary suspect, rather than a secondary thought.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Tap your situation to follow the diagnostic path that matches what you're seeing on this vehicle.

Symptoms You May Notice

• 'Gearbox fault' message displayed on the instrument cluster.
• Transmission may not shift or may shift poorly.
• Vehicle enters a limited-gear 'limp mode'.
• Harsh or delayed gear engagement.
• Check Engine Light or transmission warning light is illuminated.
• Inability to select Drive or Reverse from Park.

Most Likely Causes

1. Faulty Internal Transmission Wiring Harness 🔴 High Probability A known manufacturing defect involving a faulty wire crimp is documented in Land Rover TSB #LTB00740NAS2. The TSB states the cause as: 'a faulty crimp on the transmission internal wiring harness'.
   How to confirm: Confirm the vehicle's VIN falls within the range specified in the TSB (EH815019-FH989125). A technician will then follow the TSB's instructions to replace the harness.
   Typical fix: Replace the transmission solenoid valve electrical harness and the service kit.
   Est. part cost: $150-$250
2. Failed Shift Solenoid 'B' ⚪ Low Probability
   How to confirm: If replacing the harness does not resolve the issue, a technician would test the solenoid's resistance with a multimeter. This is unlikely to be the primary cause given the specific TSB for this vehicle.
   Typical fix: Replace the individual shift solenoid or the entire solenoid pack/valve body.
   Est. part cost: $100-$400
3. Faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM) ⚪ Low Probability
   How to confirm: This is diagnosed by exclusion. If the harness and solenoids test good, the TCM's software and hardware are checked by a specialist. Software updates are a common first step on related platforms like Jeep.
   Typical fix: Reprogram or replace the TCM.
   Est. part cost: $800-$1500

Rare But Worth Checking

• Failing Auxiliary Battery:

Diagnosis Steps

1. Scan the Transmission Control Module (TCM) for fault codes. Note if P0975-19 is present, along with any other codes listed in TSB LTB00740NAS2.
2. If warnings are intermittent and accompanied by other electrical issues, inspect and test the small auxiliary battery located under the glove box before proceeding with more complex diagnostics.
3. Verify the vehicle's VIN is within the affected range (EH815019-FH989125) as noted in the TSB.
4. Check for any open recalls or service campaigns related to the transmission, such as P091.
5. Following the guidance of TSB LTB00740NAS2, the primary diagnostic step is to replace the internal transmission solenoid valve electrical harness.
6. After replacing the harness, clear all DTCs, perform the 'Configure existing module - Transmission control module' procedure with a JLR-approved diagnostic tool, and conduct a road test to confirm the fault is rectified.
7. If the code returns, proceed with standard diagnostics for the shift solenoid circuit, such as checking the solenoid itself and the TCM.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Transmission Solenoid Valve Electrical Harness (OEM #LR049888 (superseded by LR086170)) — This is the specific part identified by Land Rover in TSB LTB00740NAS2 as the cause of the P0975 code due to a faulty wire crimp. Part number LR086170 is the supersession.
  Trusted brands: Land Rover (Genuine), VEMO
  OEM price range: $200-$250
  Aftermarket price range: $150-$200
• Transmission Service Kit (OEM #LR049876) — This kit is listed as a required part in TSB LTB00740NAS2 for the harness replacement job. It likely contains gaskets and seals needed for the repair.
  Trusted brands: Land Rover (Genuine)
  OEM price range: $50-$100

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0600-04 — These codes are listed together in TSB LTB00740NAS2 as being caused by the same faulty internal wiring harness.
• P0710-27 — These codes are listed together in TSB LTB00740NAS2 as being caused by the same faulty internal wiring harness.
• P0710-64 — These codes are listed together in TSB LTB00740NAS2 as being caused by the same faulty internal wiring harness.
• P0712-11 — These codes are listed together in TSB LTB00740NAS2 as being caused by the same faulty internal wiring harness.
• P0713-13 — These codes are listed together in TSB LTB00740NAS2 as being caused by the same faulty internal wiring harness.
• P0978-19 — These codes are listed together in TSB LTB00740NAS2 as being caused by the same faulty internal wiring harness.
• P0981-19 — These codes are listed together in TSB LTB00740NAS2 as being caused by the same faulty internal wiring harness.
• P0984-19 — These codes are listed together in TSB LTB00740NAS2 as being caused by the same faulty internal wiring harness.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• LTB00740NAS2: States that a 'Gearbox fault' message accompanied by DTC P0975-19 (and others) may be present. The bulletin explicitly states, 'Cause: This may be caused by a faulty crimp on the transmission internal wiring harness.' It provides the affected VIN range and part numbers for the repair.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• A recall (P091) was also issued for some 2014-2015 Evoque models for a similar issue where insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness could cause the vehicle to unexpectedly shift to neutral.
• Owner Experience: Sudden Shift to Neutral: A 2015 Evoque owner on Reddit reported their vehicle, with 55,000 miles, suddenly shifted itself into neutral while driving. The 'N' on the gear selector blinked and the vehicle was stuck, displaying a related transmission fault code. This real-world experience mirrors the safety concerns outlined in recall P091 and TSB LTB00740NAS2.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Shift Solenoid Coil Resistance — expected: 5.0 to 6.2 Ohms at 68°F (20°C). Failure: A reading significantly outside this range (especially near zero ohms) indicates a faulty solenoid. However, the fault may be intermittent.
• Fault Code Suffix Interpretation — expected: P0975-19. Failure: The '-19' suffix indicates 'Circuit Current Above Threshold'. This specifically points to a short circuit to ground or an internal short within the solenoid or wiring, which perfectly aligns with the TSB's diagnosis of a faulty crimp causing a short.

Hidden / Shadow Codes Worth Checking

• P0975-19: Shift Solenoid 'B' Control Circuit - Circuit Current Above Threshold. This is a manufacturer-specific extension of the generic P0975 code. (see via A JLR-compatible diagnostic scan tool like SDD or Pathfinder is required to read these suffix codes. Generic OBD-II readers may only show 'P0975'.)

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• JLR SDD / Pathfinder: Configure existing module - Transmission control module — This function is required after replacing the internal transmission wiring harness. It allows the TCM to relearn and handshake with the new component. Skipping this step may result in the fault code returning even with the new part installed.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Transmission Control Module (TCM) — Located in the engine compartment, near the battery, typically on the left (driver's side in NAS) front area.. This is the computer that controls the transmission and logs the P0975 code. Technicians may need to test the wiring harness between the TCM and the main transmission connector.
• Main Transmission Electrical Connector — A large, round, twist-lock connector on the front of the transmission case. It connects the external vehicle harness to the internal transmission harness.. Before assuming the internal harness is bad, a technician should inspect this external connector for corrosion, moisture, or backed-out pins, as a bad connection here can mimic an internal fault.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• EvoqueOwnersClub.co.uk forum user (2015 Range Rover Evoque) — Persistent 'Gearbox Fault' message on the dash, with fault code P0975-19 stored.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Clearing the codes (they returned immediately).
  ✅ What actually fixed it The owner took the vehicle to a Land Rover specialist who, following TSB LTB00740NAS2, replaced the internal transmission wiring harness. The repair resolved the fault code and warning message.

OEM Part Supersession History

• LR049888 → LR086170 — The original harness was prone to faulty wire crimps as identified in TSB LTB00740NAS2. The superseding part, LR086170, is the revised version with improved manufacturing to correct this defect.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2014-2015: The fault is specific to vehicles within the VIN range EH815019-FH989125, as documented in TSB LTB00740NAS2. Vehicles outside this VIN range are less likely to experience this specific harness failure, and other causes for P0975 should be considered more strongly.